Raipur – The Raipur Commissionerate Police has dismantled an interstate synthetic drug syndicate operating through a sophisticated “dead drop” system. Officials arrested six persons, including two masterminds based in Delhi, and seized MDMA and party pills worth approximately ₹7 lakh.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Cyber) Smritik Rajnala and DCP (Central Zone) Umesh Prasad Gupta supervised the joint operation involving the Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit (ACCU), Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), and Telibandha police.
The Modus Operandi
The syndicate employed a “dead drop” method to evade detection. The masterminds, identified as Mahesh Khadka and Kusum Hinduja, allegedly operated from Delhi, sourcing drugs from Nigerian nationals. They dispatched consignments via courier to Raipur-based associate Kunal Mangtani.
Mangtani then engaged Rapido bike riders to deliver the contraband. These riders placed the drugs at secluded spots and shared video locations with the kingpins via WhatsApp, who then directed customers to the pickup points. Payments were processed through multiple bank accounts to mask the money trail.
Police Action
The breakthrough came on 29 March 2026, when a special team intercepted three Rapido riders – Saurabh Dongre, Shubham Rathore, and Saurabh Yadav – near Kashiram Nagar in the Telibandha area. Their interrogation led to the arrest of Kunal Mangtani.
Following Mangtani’s disclosure, a police team was dispatched to Delhi. The team located Khadka and Hinduja in Panchsheel Vihar and brought them to Raipur. Investigations revealed that both masterminds were previously jailed in 2024 in connection with a drug case at Khamhardih police station.
Seizures and Charges
The police have seized the following items during the raids:
- 48.03 grams of MDMA (estimated value ₹7 lakh)
- 8 party pills
- 9 mobile phones
- One motorcycle (CG 04 NG 8529) and courier boxes used for smuggling
The total value of the seized property is estimated at ₹10 lakh. A case (Crime No. 146/26) has been registered at Telibandha police station under Section 22(b) of the NDPS Act.
Public Appeal
The Raipur Commissionerate Police has appealed to the public, particularly the youth, to stay away from synthetic drugs. Citizens are encouraged to share information regarding such illegal activities with the police to help build a drug-free society.
